MENOS: Multimedia Exchange Network Over Satellite

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The objective of the ESA MENOS project was to develop a coherent end-to-end IP network for multimedia exchange over satellite. As a result of this development, what used to be disparate VSAT networks for radio and voice and SCPC networks for TV, is now merged into one single end-to-end broadband IP bidirectional network, thereby offering a larger audience for the same content at the same time reducing the terminal cost by an order of magnitude by using inexpensive MF-TDMA broadband terminals enhanced with DVB-S2 functionality, enabling greater throughputs.

Content that used to be stored on tape can now be stored on hard disks and be used on-demand, thereby generating more revenues. Broadcasters can now offer their member stations E/T-1 type connectivity for intranet access/internet access thereby reducing significant costs. They can offer VoIP connectivity from remote sites thereby saving tremendous amount by avoiding the use of very expensive satellite telephony connectivity. MENOS represents a revolution in the way broadcast networks operate. While cable companies try to create high speed channels by “bonding” channels and struggling with the business issues of dealing with carriage and billing for multicast traffic, MENOS offers the satellite operator a platform that provides both very high speed pipes/channels with multicast IP Radio and TV, in addition to providing high speed internet access, VPN, VoIP services and other collaboration services.

MENOS won the IBC judges award and the innovation award for content delivery. Also the most innovative project of the year in 2010 was awarded to MENOS. More information on MENOS can be retrieved on the Newtec website: MENOS website: http://www.newtec.eu/products/broadband-systems/menos/